God’s redemptive plan unfolds through three distinct groups: Jews, Gentiles, and the Church. Each group has its unique origin, role, and destiny, yet all are integral to His divine purposes. The distinctions between these groups are foundational to dispensational theology, which emphasizes God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises to each group according to His timetable.
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The Bible reveals that God set apart Israel as His chosen nation, through which He would bring the Messiah and establish a kingdom on earth. At the same time, Gentiles—the nations of the world—would be included in God’s plan of redemption, particularly through the work of Christ and the Church. The Church itself is a new entity in God’s program, beginning at Pentecost and characterized by unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
A central question arises: What happens to Jewish believers during the Church Age? Are they absorbed into the Church’s heavenly destiny, or do they retain some connection to Israel’s national promises? This essay will explore these questions in depth, drawing from Scripture and insights from dispensational scholars like Charles Ryrie, John Walvoord, and Lewis Sperry Chafer. It will also examine the shared roles and responsibilities of Jews, Gentiles, and the Church in the Millennial Kingdom, where God’s promises converge in a display of His faithfulness and sovereignty.
The Jews: God’s Chosen People
Origins of the Jewish People
The Jewish people originate with God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, where God promised to make Abraham a great nation, give him a specific land, and bless all nations through him. This covenant, often called the Abrahamic Covenant, is foundational to understanding Israel’s role in God’s plan. It was reaffirmed to Abraham’s son Isaac (Genesis 26:3-5) and grandson Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15), solidifying the Jewish people as a distinct nation set apart by God.
The Abrahamic Covenant is unique because it is unconditional—God alone is responsible for fulfilling its terms, as symbolized by the covenant ceremony in Genesis 15:9-21, where God passed between the pieces of the sacrificed animals while Abraham slept. This signifies that the fulfillment of the covenant does not depend on human obedience but solely on God’s faithfulness.
Paul echoes the importance of this covenant in Romans 9:4-5, stating that the Jews are the recipients of “the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.” These privileges highlight Israel’s special relationship with God. As Scofield noted, “Israel’s distinction lies in her divine election, which guarantees her preservation and ultimate restoration.”
The Lifestyle of Israel
The Mosaic Covenant, given to Israel at Mount Sinai, provided the framework for the nation’s daily life and worship (Exodus 19:5-6). This covenant established Israel as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, setting them apart from the surrounding Gentile nations. The law governed every aspect of life, from moral conduct (Exodus 20:1-17) to ceremonial practices (Leviticus 1-7) and societal order (Deuteronomy 15:1-11).
Central to Israel’s worship was the tabernacle and later the temple, where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin and maintain fellowship with God. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) and the Passover (Exodus 12:1-30) were among the most significant observances, pointing to God’s provision for forgiveness and redemption. These rituals not only fostered communal worship but also foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
Despite their privileged position, Israel frequently strayed from God’s commands, leading to cycles of judgment and restoration throughout the Old Testament. Yet, even in their disobedience, God remained faithful to His promises. Jeremiah 31:35-37 affirms that Israel’s existence as a nation is as enduring as the fixed order of creation—a testament to God’s unchanging faithfulness.
The Destiny of Israel
The destiny of Israel is intrinsically tied to God’s covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant guarantees Israel’s right to the land, the Davidic Covenant promises an eternal throne, and the New Covenant ensures spiritual renewal and blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-34). These covenants will reach their ultimate fulfillment during the Millennial Kingdom, when Christ reigns on earth.
Ezekiel 37:21-28 vividly portrays Israel’s future restoration, describing how God will gather His people from the nations, cleanse them from their sins, and establish them under one King—the Messiah. This period will be marked by peace, prosperity, and God’s presence dwelling among His people.
Romans 11:25-27 further emphasizes Israel’s future, explaining that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. At that time, “all Israel will be saved,” signifying a national turning to Christ at His second coming (Zechariah 12:10-14). Walvoord summarized this hope: “Israel’s future is secure because it rests not on human faithfulness but on God’s unchanging character and promises.”
The Gentiles: The Nations of the World
Origins of the Gentiles
Gentiles encompass all non-Jewish peoples and are first introduced in Genesis 10, which details the descendants of Noah’s sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These descendants formed the nations that spread across the earth after the flood. The dispersion at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) further divided humanity into distinct linguistic and cultural groups, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over the nations.
Throughout biblical history, Gentiles often lived outside the covenantal relationship that Israel enjoyed with God. Yet, from the beginning, God’s plan included the Gentiles. His promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3—that all nations would be blessed through him—foreshadowed the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive work.
The Gentile Experience in Scripture
While Gentiles are frequently portrayed as idolaters and enemies of God’s people (Deuteronomy 7:16; Romans 1:18-23), Scripture also highlights God’s mercy toward them. The stories of Rahab (Joshua 2:1-14) and Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17) show Gentiles coming to faith in the God of Israel and becoming part of His redemptive plan. Both women are even included in the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:5), demonstrating God’s intention to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants.
The New Testament reveals the full inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan. Acts 10 recounts the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and the vision given to Peter, which affirmed that the gospel was for all people. Paul further emphasizes this truth in Ephesians 2:11-22, explaining that Gentiles who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility.
The Destiny of the Gentiles
Gentiles will have a prominent role in the Millennial Kingdom. Isaiah 2:2-4 describes how all nations will come to the mountain of the Lord to learn His ways and walk in His paths. This prophetic vision underscores the global reign of Christ and the universal acknowledgment of His sovereignty.
Revelation 21:24-26 reinforces this theme, depicting the nations bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem, signifying their submission to and worship of Christ. As Chafer observed, “The Gentiles will find their ultimate fulfillment not in independence but in harmony with Israel and under the righteous reign of Christ.”
The Church: A New Entity in God’s Plan
The Birth of the Church
The Church began at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), marking the start of a new dispensation. Unlike Israel, which was a nation defined by ethnicity and covenant, the Church is a spiritual body composed of believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9-10). This unity between Jewish and Gentile believers is a hallmark of the Church Age.
Ryrie described the Church as “a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament but fully disclosed in the New Testament.” This mystery refers to the inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs with Israel in the body of Christ (Ephesians 3:6). The Church’s formation reflects God’s plan to unite all believers under Christ as their head (Ephesians 1:22-23).
The Church’s Distinct Lifestyle
Believers in the Church Age are called to live by the law of Christ, which emphasizes love, grace, and the leading of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 6:2; John 13:34-35). Unlike Israel, whose worship was centered on the temple and sacrificial system, the Church offers spiritual sacrifices, such as praise, good works, and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 13:15-16).
The mission of the Church is to proclaim the gospel to all nations, making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). This universal mission distinguishes the Church from Israel, whose primary role was to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6).
The Destiny of the Church
The Church’s destiny is heavenly, in contrast to Israel’s earthly promises. Believers are promised participation in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9), and the eternal reign with Christ (Revelation 22:3-5). Walvoord emphasized, “The Church, as the bride of Christ, will forever enjoy a heavenly relationship with her Savior, distinct from Israel’s earthly role.”
Jewish Believers in the Church Age
Inclusion in the Body of Christ
When Jewish individuals come to faith in Christ during the Church Age, they are incorporated into the Church, becoming part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This incorporation does not negate their ethnic identity as Jews but redefines their primary identity as members of the Church. Galatians 3:28 affirms this unity, stating, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
This inclusion fulfills the mystery revealed in Ephesians 3:6, where Paul explains that Gentiles and Jews are co-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel. Jewish believers, like their Gentile counterparts, are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Ryrie emphasized, “Jewish believers in the Church Age partake fully in the spiritual blessings of the Church while retaining their ethnic heritage. Their inclusion does not annul God’s promises to national Israel but places them within the Church’s unique heavenly program.”
The Rapture and the Jewish Promises
The Rapture is a defining event for the Church, involving the removal of all Church Age believers—Jewish and Gentile alike—from the earth to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Because Jewish Christians are part of the Church, they will be raptured alongside other believers and thus will not remain on earth to inherit Israel’s national promises.
This raises an important theological distinction: while individual Jewish believers share in the Church’s heavenly promises, the national promises to Israel remain unfulfilled. These promises—centered on the land, the throne of David, and spiritual renewal—will be realized through the Jewish remnant that survives the Tribulation and enters the Millennial Kingdom (Zechariah 13:8-9; Ezekiel 36:24-28).
As Walvoord explained, “The translation of the Church removes all believers from the earth, aligning them with the Church’s heavenly destiny. Yet, God’s covenant with Israel ensures that the national promises will be fulfilled by those who remain and survive the Tribulation.”
The National Promises to Israel
The national promises to Israel are rooted in God’s covenants and cannot be nullified by the inclusion of Jewish believers in the Church. Romans 11:1-5 assures us that God has not rejected His people and that a remnant remains according to grace. This remnant will experience the fulfillment of Israel’s promises in the Millennial Kingdom.
The Abrahamic Covenant guarantees the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:7-8). The Davidic Covenant promises an eternal throne, fulfilled in Christ, who will reign from Jerusalem during the Millennium (2 Samuel 7:16; Luke 1:32-33). The New Covenant ensures spiritual renewal and a new heart for Israel, allowing them to walk in obedience to God (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-28).
Jewish believers who are part of the Church participate in the spiritual blessings of these covenants but not in their national aspects, which remain reserved for Israel as a nation. This distinction highlights the dual aspects of God’s plan: the Church’s heavenly destiny and Israel’s earthly inheritance.
The Tribulation and Israel’s Survival
God’s Preservation of a Remnant
The Tribulation, a seven-year period of judgment and purification, is particularly significant for Israel. Known as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), it is a time of intense suffering but also of divine preservation. Revelation 7:4-8 describes the sealing of 144,000 Jews from all twelve tribes, who will serve as witnesses during this period. These individuals are protected by God and remain faithful amidst widespread apostasy and persecution.
Zechariah 13:8-9 reveals that two-thirds of Israel will perish during the Tribulation, but the surviving third will be refined and purified. This remnant will recognize Jesus as their Messiah when He returns, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 12:10: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”
This remnant represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to preserve Israel as a nation. As Paul declared in Romans 11:26, “And in this way all Israel will be saved,” signifying a national turning to Christ at His second coming.
The Covenants Fulfilled
The Tribulation sets the stage for the fulfillment of God’s covenants with Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant, which guarantees the land to Abraham’s descendants, will be realized as Israel is restored to her land and sovereignty under the Messiah’s reign (Ezekiel 36:24-28). The Davidic Covenant finds its fulfillment in Christ, who will sit on David’s throne and rule with justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33).
The New Covenant promises spiritual renewal for Israel, including the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This covenant will be fully implemented during the Millennium, when Israel is restored to fellowship with God and fulfills her calling as a holy nation.
Chafer summarized this hope: “The covenants with Israel find their complete fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom, where the nation is restored, regenerated, and exalted under the reign of Christ.”
The Role of the Gentile Nations During the Tribulation
While the Tribulation primarily focuses on Israel, Gentile nations also play a significant role. Revelation 7:9-17 depicts a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language coming to faith during the Tribulation. These Gentile believers, often referred to as “Tribulation saints,” will endure persecution under the Antichrist but will be rewarded for their faithfulness.
At the conclusion of the Tribulation, Christ will judge the nations based on their treatment of Israel, separating the “sheep” from the “goats” (Matthew 25:31-46). This judgment ensures that only those who align with God’s purposes will enter the Millennial Kingdom.
The Millennial Kingdom: Shared Roles and Responsibilities
Church Age Believers
Church Age believers, glorified at the Rapture, will reign with Christ during the Millennium. Revelation 20:4-6 describes this reign, stating that those who are part of the “first resurrection” will rule with Christ for a thousand years. This role reflects the Church’s heavenly calling and its participation in Christ’s administration of the kingdom.
The Church’s responsibilities may include governing nations, teaching God’s ways, and serving as examples of glorified humanity. Paul hinted at this role in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, where he stated that believers will judge the world and even angels. Walvoord noted, “The glorified Church will have a unique role in manifesting Christ’s glory and administering His righteous rule.”
Restored Israel
Israel will fulfill her calling as a priestly nation during the Millennium, mediating God’s blessings to the Gentile nations. Isaiah 66:18-23 describes how all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19). The temple, restored and purified, will serve as the center of worship and a symbol of God’s presence among His people (Ezekiel 40-48).
Israel’s leadership among the nations will reflect her restored relationship with God and the fulfillment of her covenants. As Scofield observed, “Israel will once again be the channel through which God’s blessings flow to the world.”
Gentile Nations
The Gentile nations will experience unprecedented peace and prosperity during the Millennium. They will live under Christ’s righteous rule, submitting to His authority and benefiting from His justice. Isaiah 2:2-4 depicts a world where nations no longer wage war, and the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
Zechariah 8:22 states, “Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.” This universal worship demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:3).
Conclusion
God’s redemptive plan demonstrates His faithfulness and sovereignty in orchestrating the destinies of Jews, Gentiles, and the Church. Jewish believers in the Church Age share in the spiritual blessings of the Church while Israel’s national promises remain intact, awaiting fulfillment through the faithful remnant. The Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom showcase the culmination of God’s promises, uniting all groups in worship under the reign of Christ.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)
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